Any decent ones? (like actually IN Harrogate & not 'just out of Harrogate') Spending the day/evening there on friday.

Does it have to be Italian? The best one is on kings road opposite the conference centre if it does. Best atmosphere is in the Mexican 'salsa posada' just off bower road

William & Victoria is the place I always go. Not very Italian.

Doubtful you would get into W&Vs on Friday without a reservation. The Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe is very good (but not at all central – about 15 minute drive from Harrogate just off the York Road at Flaxby) – local pub with some really good food and real ales.

I went to one about a year ago called San Martino's and it was fab. The main guy there was about as Italian as you could get and was really friendly.

Food was really good – they even sorted out gluten-free vegetarian for the gf.

http://www.orchidrestaurant.co.uk/

Not italian but very good, best I've been to in Harrogate.

about a year ago called San Martino's

Where is that?

Yes – the Orchid is very good too. Special occasion prices though 🙁

Damn Yankee – fantastic american diner
BED – chilled out varied menu
Cattlemens association – good steakhouse

Italian – a lot of people rave over Pinnochios, very popular

Haven't been to Pinnochios since I was 10!

There used to be an est est est, last time I was down there.

Pinnochios isn't a patch on what it once was. In fact is it still open? I should know because I walk by it almost every day!

Pinochios is shut as far as I recall

There Sasso's which is excellent but pricey
Luigi's on Valley drive which is OK
The Italian Connection which has some connection with James Whale and was good when I went a long time ago

If all else fails there's always Pizza Express….

Why not go to the Old Bell and have a proper pint of beer and some nice food.

I'm sure they will put on an Italian acent if it makes you feel happier?

Why not go to the Old Bell and have a proper pint of beer and some nice food.

Can't help but agree. Then go for a curry when you are w&nkered on Belgian Cherry Beer which is 400% proof.

Second for Luigi's on Valley Drive. It was Luigi who ran Pinochios in its heyday.
Can't beat a few good pints at the Bell though!! then sod the food!!

Maybe I shoulda mentioned, 'our lass wants to go for an Italian meal on Friday' So I (sorry, 'she') wants Italian!
I'm not arsed either way, maybe I should tell her there are none?

If I was trying to impress, I would go to The Orchid (assuming she likes oriental food)

Cheers MF but we're well beyond impressing each other!
Pizza Hut it is then!

Head south to Leeds and pay a visit to Salvo's. Some of the best pizzas around (amongst other things).

Head south to Leeds and pay a visit to Salvo's

Wasn't he on The Gordon Ramsey programme the other week?

I have been there once myself – I tended to think it was an average Italian.

Another one – it isn't in Harrogate, it is down the road in Knaresborough – it's called Bella Sicilia (was Bella Rosa before I think). It is a really nice, friendly, family-owned place, next to Knaresborough Castle and right next door to the Castle Vaults pub.

Wasn't he on The Gordon Ramsey programme the other week?

Indeed he was.

Highly recommended by the gf who went there several times while living in Leeds.

The trouble with restaurants (IMHO) is that no matter how good they are, if you get them on a bad day (or night) then it's a right pi55er. One example from experience is a Thai we've visited for years – very good food on every visit except on one occasion when only the head chef turned up but none of the other chefs did. She had a right paddy and turned out distinctly below-par food. Not impressed. Got a discount though.